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Technology
Assessment & Research (TA&R) Program
| Project Number |
299 |
| Date of Summary |
June 15, 2001 |
| Subject |
Estimation of Towing Forces on
Oil Spill Containment Booms |
| Performing Activity |
S.L. Ross Environmental Research |
| Principal Investigator |
Steve Potter |
| Contracting Agency |
Minerals Management Service |
| Estimated Completion |
Complete |
| Description |
The purpose of the
study is to determine the maximum towing forces allowable for different boom types. S.L.
Ross will use recent field and tank test studies on tow forces and boom performance
parameters to improve existing formulae. The existing formulae on calculating towing
forces are generally valid but need to be refined to account for the variance in drag
force coefficient among different boom styles. Through the development of a detailed
experimental plan and testing at the Ohmsett facility, MMS will have new recommendations
to submit to the ASTM F20.11 subcommittee on more reliable formulae for tow forces. This
would allow more efficient designing for oil booms and increase the clean-up efficiency in
the event of a oil spill. The Objective of the study is to determine the loads developed
on a containment boom when towed in a typical containment configuration. Based on this,
guidelines will be established for the minimum required tensile strengths for booms in
various sea and current conditions. |
| Progress |
Project is complete. |
Reports |
| AA (33 pages) |
Stephen Potter James McCourt
Estimation of Towering Forces on Oil Spill Containment Booms S.L. Ross Environmental
Research Ottawa, ON, Canada, July 1999. |
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